Witnesses rescue man who jumped from Flagler bridge

Good Samaritans saved the life of a 40-year-old North Carolina man who jumped from the Flagler Beach Bridge into the Intracoastal Waterway, Flagler Beach Police Sgt. Frank Parrish said Wednesday.

JULIE MURPHYSTAFF WRITER

FLAGLER BEACH — Good Samaritans saved the life of a 40-year-old North Carolina man who jumped from the Flagler Beach Bridge into the Intracoastal Waterway, Flagler Beach Police Sgt. Frank Parrish said Wednesday. James F. Clark of King Mountains, N.C., was airlifted to Halifax Health Medical Center after being pulled from the water Tuesday night by a man who was at the boat launch at the base of the bridge when Clark jumped. Clark suffered internal injuries and some broken ribs, Parrish said. "It was a strange situation," Parrish said of the jump, which occurred at 9:10 p.m. "There were a couple of people at the boat ramp who saw him splash in and (they) went in after him." Clark stopped his Suzuki motorcycle at the top of the bridge and jumped, according to Parrish. "He had no ID on him, there was no tag on the motorcycle and the (vehicle identification number) had been scratched off," Parrish said. "He had his jacket and helmet on, but left his boots by the motorcycle." Flagler County Fire Rescue and the Flagler County Sheriff's Office were called to the scene in addition to Flagler Beach Police. "A bystander pulled him out of the water," said Fire Rescue Chief Don Petito. "He was out when we got there." Parrish said Officer Dennis Lashbrook and Detective Liz Williams took Clark's thumbprint and "put it into the system" to determine his identification. "After that, they went to Halifax to confirm his identification," Parrish said. Clark suffered broken ribs, was having difficulty breathing and had internal injuries, so he was airlifted to Daytona Beach by the Volusia County sheriff's helicopter. Parrish believes those who helped the man were not injured "even though the water was probably still a little cold." It is likely Clark will be held for a mental evaluation under the state's Baker Act after he is given a medical release for his physical condition, the sergeant said. "They will definitely do that," he said.